What Does It Mean To Scarify Your Seeds?

Seeds + nail file + water = SCARIFICATION

So what does it actually mean to scarify your seeds? To scarify a seed means to break down the seed's outer protective coating in order to expedite the germination process.

There are some seed varieties like wildflowers and native plants that have very hard seed coatings. Included in this group are Nasturtiums, Sweet Peas and Morning Glories. Hard seed coatings are nature's way of protecting seeds from sprouting too early. If you think about the life cycle of a plant (i.e., seed to stem/leaves to flower to possibly fruit and back to seed creation), seeds are meant to last throughout the year and not sprout again until the proper time. The extra thick seed coating protects the seed until it's the right time for sprouting. By scarifying your seeds, you're just helping out Mother Nature by giving them a little push in the right direction.

To scarify your seeds, you just need the seeds, a nail file (or sandpaper) and a small bowl or glass of water for soaking. Using the nail file or sandpaper, carefully nick the outside coating of the seed just until you see the inside. Usually the inside is lighter than the coating. You just want to expose a little of the seed without damaging it. Once you have nicked the outsides of all your seeds, place them in a bowl of lukewarm water for soaking overnight. As soon as you see the seeds start to swell, you will know they are ready for planting. And then you'll want to get them into the ground immediately. The whole process should be completed within 24 hours.

And that, my friends, is what it means to scarify your seeds!

Find out more of my tried and true techniques in my Gardenary course called Kitchen Garden Academy, an online video course that teaches new(ish) gardeners how to design and create beautiful raised bed kitchen gardens and how to grow the most productive organic plants. See you in the Academy!